William "Bill" Joseph Gross, 89, of Palatka, Florida entered the sunset of life on Saturday December 31, 2011 at Palatka Health Care Center following an extended illness. "Bill" was a native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, born on Saturday, January 14, 1922 to Alfred & Olive (Kachelmeyer) Gross and reared in Southern California. He was a graduate of Loyola High School, Los Angeles and a graduate of University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). Mr. Gross served his country in the United States Air Force with honor during World War II. He trained as a pilot and navigator, and completed 51 dangerous missions with a B-24 bomber group in Europe. He continued his distinguished military service career as a Reserve Air Force Officer until 1957. "Bill" was a physical fitness enthusiast all of his life competing in body building and bicycle racing. In 1946, he won the "Mr. California" body building championship and competed successfully against some of the greatest cyclists of his era. He worked for many years as a design engineer in Southern California and Reno, Nevada before retiring to the family dream home at Lake Tahoe in 1986. In November 2005, Bill relocated to Palatka following a brief 6-month residency in Interlachen. He was of the Catholic faith and was a member of St. Monica Catholic Church, Palatka. He was preceded in eternal rest by his wife of 50 years, Patricia D. Gross. To cherish the precious memories of Bill: Sons, Dana Gross, Boise, Idaho; Jim Gross, Gainesville, FL; Daughters, Mary Gross, Chino Valley, Arizona; Maggie Hill, Asheville, NC; Sister, Mary Jane Blaty, Huntington Beach, CA; Brothers, Vincent Gross, Culver City, CA; David Gross, Walnut Creek, CA; 9 grandchildren, and a host other relatives and caring friends. Memorial Service arrangements are pending and will be announced later.